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The first overall pick in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft is getting plenty of on-the-job training this season as the Avalanche are not exactly easing him into the league.

“I don’t have to protect him, he is who he is,” said Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy. “He’s a powerful skater, he has great vision, he works hard and he’s very dedicated to become the best hockey player that he can.”

Heading into Thursday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers, MacKinnon, 18, had five goals and 11 assists in 25 games this season. He’s averaging 15:43 of ice time per night.

MacKinnon went into the game in a four-way tie for second in rookie scoring behind San Jose Sharks winger Tomas Hertl.

“The last thing I want to do is protect him,” Roy said. “I want him to learn and I love when he makes mistakes because it allows me to teach him and explain to him what he has to do. Fortunately for us, it’s been happening in winning situations so it’s even easier for everybody. Nate wants to learn. Nate is a great hockey player and I think the people in Denver will love him and he brings a lot of depth to our lineup.”

MacKinnon appeared to have scored his sixth goal of the season on a deflection in the second period Thursday. However, the goal originally awarded to him was taken away as it was determined the puck actually went in off Oilers winger Nail Yakupov.

New faces

The Oilers were missing their call-ups at the morning skate prior to Thursday’s contest.

Martin Marincin, Corey Potter and Anton Lander were scheduled to arrive in Edmonton on Wednesday, but flight delays had the trio in the air Thursday morning.

They did arrive in time to suit up for the Oilers against the Avalanche. Marincin was making his NHL debut.

The three were called up after the Oilers decided to shuffle the deck following a 6-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.

Facing Roy

Ryan Smyth had plenty of memorable encounters with Patrick Roy as a player.

Making a living in front of the opposition’s net, Smyth and the now Avalanche head coach, didn’t always see eye-to-eye.

“He was very intense,” Smyth said. “He’s a guy that demands a lot. When he played he demanded a lot, he knew what he wanted and that’s what he got.

“He’s successful and a champion, so he knows what it takes at that level. Now as a coach, as a group the Avalanche seem to be finding their way with him.”

Staying hot

David Perron continues to carry a hot stick, scoring again for the Oilers Thursday.

The Oilers winger netted his team-leading 12th goal of the season in the second period, firing a shot past goaltender Semyon Varlamov on a two-on-one rush.

Since coming back from a neck injury and illness, which cost him four games earlier in the season, Perron has scored 10 goals in his last 13 games. He also has four assists in that span. Perron was acquired by the Oilers this off-season from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Magnus Paajarvi and a second-round pick in the NHL draft.

Paajarvi scored his second goal of the season for the Blues on Thursday in a 5-1 win against the New York Islanders.

Few saw it live

The majority of the players on the Avalanche roster know what Roy accomplished as a player.

However, there many in the Avalanche room who never actually saw the Hall-of-Fame goaltender play.

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is one of them.

“Back home in Sweden they didn’t show a lot of NHL hockey growing up,” he said. “For me, it’s been more YouTube, it’s been more highlights and all that kind of stuff. I have seen him play quite a bit, but not as much as kids in Denver or kids in Canada, but you don’t really need to see him play to get to know Patrick. He brings the same passion as a coach that he did as a player and that’s what we like about him.”

Roy retired from the NHL in 2003. He then went on to coach the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL before taking the Avalanche head-coaching job this summer.

The first overall pick in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft is getting plenty of on-the-job training this season as the Avalanche are not exactly easing him into the league.

“I don’t have to protect him, he is who he is,” said Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy. “He’s a powerful skater, he has great vision, he works hard and he’s very dedicated to become the best hockey player that he can.”

Heading into Thursday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers, MacKinnon, 18, had five goals and 11 assists in 25 games this season. He’s averaging 15:43 of ice time per night.

MacKinnon went into the game in a four-way tie for second in rookie scoring behind San Jose Sharks winger Tomas Hertl.

“The last thing I want to do is protect him,” Roy said. “I want him to learn and I love when he makes mistakes because it allows me to teach him and explain to him what he has to do. Fortunately for us, it’s been happenin

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